Summer 2018 • Vol. 72 / No. 3
Inside:
#mytaborstory TCW Honors First MSN Graduates Three Bluejays teach abroad in Honduras
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From the President
The Theological Identity of Tabor College During the past year, we had conversations about our theological identity. Evangelicalism and Anabaptism have historically described the theological identity of Tabor College. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Clarence Hiebert and Wes Prieb articulated this descriptor of Tabor in chapels and in church pulpits. They were quite aggressive in their description of Tabor as an Anabaptist/ Evangelical school, going so far as to state that Tabor was the only Anabaptist school with this combined theological understanding. Most significantly, these two theological streams were to receive equal importance in our identity with the Evangelical descriptor distinguishing us. Follow along with Dr. Glanzer’s travels and campus events on Twitter. /presglanzer
The political climate of our nation combined with the media’s labeling of people groups and voter blocks has raised the question if we should continue to use these terms to describe our theological identity. As a college, we become victims of our culture when we allow these labels to determine who we are and the mission and vision that we have been called to live out. We embrace the term evangelical for the following reasons: · The literal meaning of the term. “Evangelicals take the Bible seriously and believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. The term evangelical comes from the Greek word euangelion, meaning ‘the good news’ or ‘the gospel.’ Thus, the evangelical faith focuses on the ‘good news’ of salvation brought to sinners by Jesus Christ.” (https://www.nae.net/what-is-an-evangelical/) · The inclusiveness that it represents. The label brings together many Christian traditions forming a common community around theological convictions, doctrinal belief, and faith practices. · The global acceptance and understanding of the term. Evangelicalism is a global movement that transcends American politics. No one geopolitical region or political party should define a theological identity of the college. · The embrace of our constituency. The term is embraced by the vast majority of our constituents. It also is a term that the families of prospective students recognize when asking what does decidedly Christian mean. · The transforming power that it represents. Only the transforming love of Jesus Christ and the guidance of the scriptures, which are the core of Evangelicalism, can
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bring about the true transformation of a person. Incorporating true evangelical faith into the curriculum and practices of Tabor College enables us to fulfill our deepest desire for our students. · The strong compatibility with our mission and vision statements. An evangelical faith is required to fulfill our mission statement and to provide the experience that we proclaim in our vision statement. We embrace the term anabaptist for the following reasons: · The activism it promotes. It encourages people to become involved in helping make the world more as God intended it to be. “True evangelical faith … cannot lie dormant,… it clothes the naked, it feeds the hungry, it comforts the sorrowful, it shelters the destitute,… it serves those that harm it,… it binds up what is wounded,… it has become all things to all creatures.” ( https:// themennonite.org/feature/true-evangelical-faith/ ) · The lifestyle it calls us to. Living the way Anabaptism teaches is a healthy way of living. It makes for a meaningful and satisfying life that encourages reconciliation and peacemaking as a way of life. · Our historical roots. The college was founded because of a desire to have a school that teaches and trains men and women a certain brand of evangelicalism. · The focus on discipleship. Following Christ requires us to engage in a lifestyle that demonstrates the power of Christ in our lives. Being a Christ follower is more than belief. It requires actions that demonstrate the beliefs. · The positive impact it has on society. Society would be a better place if as a society we would all embrace the principles of Anabaptism. · The strong compatibility with our mission and vision statements. An anabaptist understanding of faith embraces our mission statement and provides the experience that we proclaim in our vision statement. Although Evangelicalism as a movement came considerably later than the Anabaptist movement, in many ways, Anabaptism can be understood as a subset of Evangelicalism. It is common to combine theological terms with evangelical such as Evangelical/Calvinist, Evangelical/Wesleyan, Evangelical/Dispensational, Evangelical/Charismatic, Evangelical/Arminian, Evangelical/Fundamentalist, or any one of a number of theological terms that convey an understanding of evangelical. Given our history and scriptural understanding, evangelical/anabaptist are two terms when combined describe the heart and soul of Tabor College’s theological identity.
President Jules Glanzer
Connection Summer 2018 Vol. 72 No. 3 A magazine for Tabor College alumni & friends Editor Amy Doane amydoane@tabor.edu Writer Bailey Kaufman Contributor Aleen Ratzlaff aleenr@tabor.edu
inside 2 From the President 4 The Arts 5 #mytaborstory 6 Dr. Richard G. Kyle Lecture series
Senior Designer Diane Steiner dianes@tabor.edu
8 Commencement 2018
Photographer/Webmaster Vance Frick vancef@tabor.edu
15 Sports Wrap up
Student Photographer Austin Calam Tabor College 400 South Jefferson Hillsboro, Kansas 67063 (620) 947-3121 tabor.edu Tabor College Mission: “Preparing people for a life of learning, work and service for Christ and His kingdom.” @TaborCollege /TaborCollege /taborcollege /taborcollege /company/tabor-college /taborcollege Tabor Webcast
11 Tabor College Wichita 20 Mary J. Regier 18 Alumni News
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Board of Directors: David Karber Chair Diana Raugust Vice Chair Theodore Faszer Secretary Brent Kroeker Treasurer Darrell Driggers Executive At Large Craig Ratzlaff Executive At Large
Loren Balzer Executive At Large Jose Cabrera Roger Ediger Rick Eshbaugh Jeral Gross Mark Jost Kelly Kirby Mike Kleiber Jerry Kliewer Lisa Kroeker Susan Koslowsky Bill Loewen
Nate Loewen Dean Nachtigall Jeff Nikkel Deborah Penner Faculty Representative Dennis Penner Elaine Setzer-Maxwell Tim Sullivan Wilbur Unrau Richard Unruh Riley Loewen Student Representative 3
The Arts at Tabor College Tabor Arts kept audiences entertained during the inaugural season of performances in the Shari Flaming Center for the Arts. The building was booked solid this spring with opportunities to watch student and guest performances.
“Radium Girls”
Through the story of Grace Fryer and other women who suffered terribly as a result of industry outpacing science and neglect of persons in the name of profit, this play illustrated a critical moment in American history. The play was a look into the 1920s, when radium was considered a miracle cure for a range of ailments and was marketed to the public as a general health booster. “Some people think history is boring, but ‘Radium Girls’ brings history to life,” said cast member Madison Hill. “This story is about real people facing big issues that were anything but boring. I love the passion that the play brings out in all of the actors.” The play invoked some compelling and relevant questions about the media’s role in society, about laws that benefit businesses but can harm individuals and about a cultural tendency to dismiss women’s health concerns. “It’s fascinating to work on a script that is based on true events,” said Laurel Koerner, director of theater at Tabor College. “Finding photos of the women at work in the radium painting studios and newspaper clippings from the course of the trial is thrilling. It adds gravity to the entire process, knowing that these are real people whose stories we are telling.”
Tabor College Concert Choir
Each year the choir travels during spring break and this year visited churches in Kansas, South Dakota, Minnesota and Nebraska. Under the theme “Adoration,” the ensemble explored what it means to adore God and Christ through song. The choir’s repertoire spanned music from Gregorian chant to the Renaissance and Baroque eras, to texts and arrangements of early and modern American hymns. The music of choral giants William Byrd, Palestrina and Heinrich Schütz was programed, along with Dan Forrest’s “Cantate Canticum Novum,” and Elaine Hagenberg’s setting of the hymn “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go.” “Choir tour is the highlight of the choir’s work each year, and the students enjoy the opportunity to travel, minister through song, meet new
people, and learn to know other members of the choir in new and deeper ways,” said Brad Vogel, director of choir and professor of music. “I enjoy watching the choir mature musically and spiritually during the tour, and am always encouraged by the ways in which they bless and enrich our audiences by giving themselves to this work.”
Diane Bish In Concert
Diane Bish, internationally acclaimed organist and creator of TV’s “The Joy of Music,” visited Tabor College to perform the first organ concert in the Shari Flaming Center for the Arts. “We were incredibly fortunate to have an artist of her renown and skill on our campus, and had looked forward to sharing our new facility with her and her audience,” said Bradley Vogel, director of music at Tabor. She has composed numerous solo pieces, arrangements and full symphonic works that have received much acclaim and are performed regularly because of her ability to combine musical quality with accessibility. “Diane Bish is known worldwide for her concerts and particularly through her show, ‘The Joy of Music,’ in which she not only plays on the greatest instruments in the world in the most beautiful venues in the world, but also is such an educator about the music and composers,” Vogel said.
Tabor College Opera
Tabor Arts presented its spring opera performance “Patience.” The operetta was written by W.S Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan in 1881. “I’ve acted in a play before, and I have sung in choirs and ensembles,” said Camden Cox, sophomore at Tabor. “Deciding to participate in the opera and putting the two together in ‘Patience’ has been one of my best decisions in a while. I guarantee you will laugh many times throughout our performance.” Originally a satire on the 19th century European movement that focused on aesthetic values, Tabor College Opera’s production updated the show to poke fun at contemporary American culture, replacing “Aesthetics” with “Hipsters.” “Since its inception in the spring of 2016, Tabor College Opera has been growing steadily, both in student involvement and audience,” said Jen Stephenson, director of vocal studies at Tabor. “We’re so excited to present ‘Patience’ this semester, which marks our first full-length production. The students have been working hard, and it shows – the show is hilarious.” Like all 14 of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operettas, this two-act work blended spoken dialogue with musical numbers to tell its story. While audiences may be more familiar with either “The Pirates of Penzance” or “H.M.S. Pinafore,” “Patience” is one of the famous duo’s most beloved works.
Tabor College Symphonic Band
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The Symphonic Band offered two opportunities this spring, a collaborative concert with Hillsboro High School Wind Ensemble and a “Pops” concert featuring songs from the stage and screen. The collaborative concert began with HHS performing its music festival repertoire. Tabor’s band followed with works by John Williams, Hugh Stuart, John Mackey and Charles Carter. The “Pops” concert featured popular music from composers who hold great prominence in the music field including Elmer Bernstein, George Gershwin, Harold Arlen, Klaus Badelt and Leonard Bernstein. “The music of George Gershwin and Leonard Bernstein has forever
changed the American musical landscape, and I considered it an honor to perform their music,” said Shawn Knopp, director of bands at Tabor. Jen Stephenson, director of vocal studies at Tabor, also performed with the ensemble. Stephenson, a soprano, has a wide variety of stage experience with Lawrence Opera Theatre, Music On Site Inc., Harrower Summer Opera, Druid City Opera Workshop and others. “We were excited to collaborate with Dr. Stephenson on this concert,” Knopp said. “The opportunity for the band to accompany her on ‘Over the Rainbow,’ from the timeless classic ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ was an incredible experience for the band.”
West Coast Mennonite Men’s Chorus
Now in its 41st year, the choir has performed over 120 concerts in over 25 locations throughout California and British Columbia. Forty-two of the ensemble’s 120 members made the trip to Hillsboro. This is only the second time in their history that they have traveled outside of California to perform. “It is exciting to be able to share our unique ministry with people in the Midwest,” said Leon Thiessen, chairman of WCMMC. “Many in our chorus grew up in Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado, and still have family in these locations. For me personally, it is a thrill to be able to come back to sing at my alma mater.” The choir performed songs including “He is the Amen,” “Jesus Paid it All,” “10,000 Reasons,” “He Made a Change,” and “Holy, Holy, Holy,” arranged by Tabor’s professor of music Bradley Vogel. In total, the concert included 13 songs, with the addition of two smaller ensemble performances. During each performance, the group takes a freewill offering for relief work. This year the offering went entirely to Mennonite Disaster Service to help with rebuilding homes destroyed by the devastating wildfires across the West Coast.
“It was a treat to host this choir on our campus and share our auditorium with them,” said Bradley Vogel, performing and visual arts division chair at Tabor. “Having toured in California many times with the Tabor College Concert Choir, I have developed friendships with many of the men in the choir, and looked forward to returning the hospitality that they had shown to us. They sing with great passion—it was a rewarding concert.”
Spring Oratorio
As a conclusion to the performance season, the Tabor College Concert Choir and Community Orchestra came together to perform Dan Forest’s “Requiem for the Living.” The end-of-year concert was a tribute to the more than 250 donors who passed away before seeing the Shari Flaming Center for the Arts dedicated. “Dan Forrest’s ‘Requiem for the Living’ is a stunningly beautiful and expressive work and has proven to be an immensely popular work since its introduction in 2013,” said Brad Vogel, conductor and professor of music at Tabor. “Its message of peace and hope—brought about through both text and sound—expresses my own sense of thankfulness and tribute toward the many individuals who supported the completion of the Shari Flaming Center for the Arts.” The work was performed by the concert choir and featured soprano Jen Stephenson, assistant professor of music, as soloist. The orchestra was comprised of members of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra along with professional wind and percussion players. “I’m overwhelmed by the commitment and generosity of people who gave to this project, sometimes knowing that they themselves would not see the fruit of their labor,” said Vogel. “In this final concert of the inaugural season of the Center, we wished to express our thanks and honor this commitment.” 5
#mytaborstory
“Last year, I felt like God was calling me to do something, and I didn’t know what it was. The next few weeks I was thinking of different things, but none of them felt right. And then I sort of forgot about it. But one night at SP&D, they announced that they were looking for a slot to be filled. And God was like, ‘You should go ask somebody,’ but I was like, ‘No, maybe later.’ Finally, at the end of the night, He would not let me walk out of that church, so I said, ‘OK, I’ll ask.’ Apparently, they had prayed specifically for somebody to come up and ask that night. They really needed a female vocalist and preferably a freshman. So I was really super surprised that I was an answer to a prayer. My experience at Tabor has helped me learn to listen to God and I’ve seen how he can use me and work through me.” – Megan Tschohl, sophomore
“I came to Tabor because I wanted to play soccer and get my degree at the same time, which isn’t an opportunity that’s available in New Zealand. I’ve made friends here that I know I’m going to have in my life for a long time. Especially since I’m so far away from home, I’ve learned how to be responsible for myself, and I’ve learned to value my emotional and spiritual relationships more than physical situations and objects. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever really had a bad day at Tabor College.” – Lewis Furmenger, junior 6
“When I visited Tabor, it felt like the right place. I didn’t really have an idea of what I wanted to do, but I wanted to play basketball, and Tabor provided me the opportunity to do that on a good team. Through basketball, I’ve been able to play with teammates from all over the country and hear their stories. I think being able to relate to people and know where they come from and why they do certain things is a part of basketball that carries over into other areas of life, too. Tabor’s been a good place, and the biggest part of that has been the people. Some of my favorite moments here have been talking with people at church after games. It’s cool to see that people in the community are involved with your life, and being surrounded by this Christ-like community has allowed me to grow in my faith individually.” – Jordan Horstick, senior
“When I was in high school, I was such an introvert, but then being here and being surrounded by this community of people who are so supportive, I feel like I’ve come out of my shell. I’ve been empowered to do things that I would never have considered before. I really believe I was supposed to be at Tabor. And I think everybody who is at Tabor is called to be here, and that’s why the community is so great. That’s why everybody’s personal relationships are so strong, because this is where we were divinely appointed to be.” – Katherine Coleman, junior
“Originally, I had never heard of Tabor. Being a pre-vet student, I was looking at colleges that had those specific programs, but at a college fair, I decided to talk to a Tabor admissions counselor. The way he talked about Tabor and the way he asked me questions and wanted to know more about me and what I wanted to do, it was the most genuine experience that I’ve probably ever had. If I could describe my Tabor experience in one word, it would be plentiful. I’ve found God in many places, so I have plenty of God. I have plenty of friends. I have plenty of love from everybody. And I have plenty of homework from all of my classes, that’s for sure. Just being surrounded by such godly people who not only talk about their faith openly, but live their faith, and seeing how they live their life and how I could live my life, it touches my heart right in the pumper.” – Noeli Saenz, freshman
“I would say I’ve had a lot of spiritual growth during my time here. I want to become a youth pastor, and I’ve realized how important it is to build relationships. Being out in the real world, I was tested. But the people I have met here have helped me grow in my walk with God. They’ve helped me become a better person. If you ask for help at Tabor, you’ll find it.” – Israel Washington, sophomore
“My Tabor story has been full of opportunities for memories and building relationships with so many people. If you are willing to step outside of your comfort zone and invest in relationships, you’ll reap what you sow. I knew Tabor was a place that held a lot of potential for me, and I realized early on through playing volleyball in the rain with people I had never met before that opportunity is out there if you take advantage of it. My role as a resident assistant has been a crucial part of my time here at Tabor and has really shaped my perspective and outlook on life. When you make an effort to challenge yourself in new ways, you will grow in ways you never expected.” – Alyssa Abbott, junior
Tabor College, like its liberal arts-based counterparts, continues to find priceless value in teaching students to think critically as part of their learning process. Tabor’s mission statement—preparing people for a life of learning, work and service for Christ and his kingdom—supports a faculty philosophy of exploring new topics and diving deeply into issues. Professors take seriously this challenge in teaching students as well as in growing personally and academically through research and writing. In April Jessica Klanderud, assistant professor of history, inspired students, faculty and staff as she presented her research about the Civil Rights Movement at the annual Dr. Richard G. Kyle Lecture series. The following article is an excerpt from Klanderud’s book manuscript “Struggle for the Street: Civil Rights in African American Pittsburgh, from a Place to a Movement.”
Freedom Corner and the Modern Black Freedom Movement. 1950-1968 by Jessica D. Klanderud, PhD
Alma S. Fox organized the movement for full rights for all African Americans and stressed the importance of women’s participation in the Civil Rights Movement as well as in the Feminist Movement in Pittsburgh, Pa. Fox recalled, “You have to be willing to give your all, because freedom is not free. Everybody put their necks on the line for the movement. We get no more than we demand!” Her adept planning and provisioning of street protests began at the corner of Center Avenue and Crawford Street, called Freedom Corner. Fox had a sharp understanding of where and how to make street protests effective, pushed the struggle for the streets of Pittsburgh and for the full equality of African Americans into the center of political, social and economic life in the Steel City. Street-based protests were common and included a number of racial incidents that moved from indoor venues on to the streets of Pittsburgh. A comment in the “Pittsburgh Courier” by Carl Morris referenced a riot that spilled on to the streets following a racial altercation at Oliver High School. Morris argued that outside militant agitators alone did not spur the violence but that the real agitators “are better neighborhoods, better jobs, a better way of living.” Morris is one of many African Americans who noted the rise of militancy among working class African American youth. He characterized African American organizations as “out of touch” with the concerns of youth who resorted to using street protests to gain the attention of the nation. African American organizations increasingly retreated from street spaces into the halls of their organizations and city government. African American youth instead, continued to use street spaces in increasingly violent and militant expressions of discontent over the state of African American civil rights. Black militancy established a stronger foothold with the African American working class as the issues of the African American working classes diverged from those of the African American middle classes. In 1965, the poet Langston Hughes wrote an allegorical discussion published in the “Pittsburgh Courier” arguing that the methods of the middle class had lost their appeal to African American youth who were embracing militancy. Hughes said, “Speech making is not enough. Marching is not enough. Martin Luther King is not enough. The young Negro is impatient.” The older methods of street protests and marches no longer met the needs of African American youth. Hughes also foreshadowed much of the agitation against the Vietnam draft and other issues of special concern to the African American working classes and especially the young within those classes. By the mid-1960s many African American workers recognized that
civil rights gains were mostly isolated to those of the middle class. In fact, working class African Americans focused much of their street protests on opposing the draft and pushing for American troops to come home. Working class African Americans also expressed some solidarity with other nations including Africans in Rhodesia and South Africa. For many in the working class, civil rights at home were insufficient when faced with a lack of rights for colored people around the globe. The 1950s and 1960s brought a divergence between the African American working classes and the middle class. In the early years of the Civil Rights Movement, African American middle class leadership in Pittsburgh worked alongside the grassroots leadership in the working classes. But as African Americans gained legal civil rights in the mid-1960s, the goals and aims of the African American working classes diverged from those of the middle class. This split became more evident as Vietnam protests and anti-poverty programs gained priority within the African American working classes. While middle class African Americans questioned the motives of the African American working class, the working classes developed their own program for Black liberation. This program, organized at the community level, addressed more than skilled labor and access to recreation. It also addressed economic injustice and expressed solidarity with people of color in other countries. The rising tide of street violence and working classes acceptance of any method to break the hold of the middle classes confused African American middle class leadership within traditional organizations like the NAACP and the Urban League. Street violence and street protests transformed working class politics in the late 1960s but these transformations were not the “death of Civil Rights,” they were a continuation of the grass roots street politics of the African American working classes. 7
Tabor College Celebrates 108th Commencement
Tabor College held its 108th commencement at 10 a.m., May 19. More than 2,000 parents, family and friends gathered at Joel H. Wiens Stadium and via live stream on Tabor Webcast to celebrate with the graduates. Of the 190 graduates from Tabor, 119 earned degrees at the Hillsboro campus while 71 earned degrees online through the Wichita campus. Of those, 33 earned master’s degrees in areas of business, ministry or nursing. President Jules Glanzer welcomed the graduates and attendees honoring the hard work and commitment to their education. “Graduates, you’ve worked hard,” Glanzer said. “Today is a time to celebrate your accomplishment and a time to worship the God who has been with you all the way.” Following the welcome, Glanzer presented the Fran Jabara Leadership Awards to Molly Wiebe Faber and Philip Ediger, both from Hillsboro, Kan. “These students we recognize this morning have not only demonstrated their capacity for future leadership, but have demonstrated their leadership abilities at Tabor College,” Glanzer said. Also at a reception held on Friday, Jordan Horstick of Richmond, Kan., and Sierra Sanchez from Chonburi, Thailand, were awarded the Larry and Elaine Nikkel Service Award. Class representatives for both Hillsboro and Wichita both talked about their times as students. Wiebe Faber spoke for students from the Hillsboro campus. She earned a bachelor’s degree in theater and finished her coursework in December. She has since been accepted into the prestigious East 15 Acting School at the University of Essex in London. “Thank you to the parents, the grandparents, the uncles and aunts, the friends, the mentors, and anyone else who has had a hand in helping us get here,” Wiebe Faber said. “Your support and love, your guidance and redirection have helped us become the people we are today.” 8
Completing her degree in December 2017 gave Wiebe Faber the unique opportunity to speak to her peers about what is next after college. “Whatever is next for you is not what is next for the person beside you or the person beside them, and it certainly isn’t what is next for me,” Wiebe Faber said. “We each have our own individual paths to follow. What I can tell you is this: no matter what is next for you, everything will be OK.” Tabor College Wichita graduate Shelly Westfall, Derby, Kan., earned an master’s degree in ministry entrepreneurship and innovation. She is part of the second graduating class from that program. “I want to encourage you to always remain open to possibilities, newness and change,” Westfall said. “Explore every opportunity. I came to Tabor Wichita to do the Christian Ministry degree completion program in 2010, not because I had a plan, but because I felt an inarguable calling.” Westfall earned a bachelor’s degree in Christian ministry and moved from a career in business to ministry. She returned to Tabor for the MEI program. “I know that college is not for everyone and for a long time, college was not for me, even while it was for many of my friends and family,” Westfall said. “I’ve had the joy of studying under amazing professors who really get adult education as much as they get the traditional college student. Every single one of you probably has at least one life-changing professor who is present here today. So, to all of you who have impacted all of us, thank you.” Ambassador Paul Folmsbee, a 1982 graduate of Tabor, addressed the graduates on “Being Resilient.” Folmsbee is the U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Mali and has served in that role since 2015 when he was confirmed after an appointment from President Barack Obama. “Whatever path you choose, I have learned over the years that what distinguishes those who succeed from those who fail is their ability to deal with adversity,” Folmsbee said. “Those who develop resiliency will be the ones to achieve the most.” He spoke about the difference an education from Tabor will make on their future. “You do have something going for you that many don’t have,” Folsmbee said. “Tabor College has given you a very strong value-based life formula. Use it. Know your values and make decisions based on them.” He also spoke about how resiliency has been part of his life and career. “Resiliency took me to Haiti and gave me the power to assist with United States efforts in cleaning up after a terrible hurricane and political collapse in 2004,” Folmsbee said. “It got me through to Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bolivia, Kenya and so many other places where I had the privilege and opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives. You can do it, too.” Following Folmsbee’s address, Frank Johnson, vice president of academic affairs, presented the graduating class. Hoods and diplomas were awarded. Rod Hamm, director of alumni relations, gave each graduate a Bible. Heidi Klaassen, from Arkansas City, Kan., who earned a bachelor’s degree in biology, gave the class response. She addressed the importance of goals and trusting God in the process. “After the initial celebration, the challenge to all of us is this: No matter what our future career and vocational goals, let us follow Paul’s admonition in 2 Corinthians that above all, we are to make it our ultimate goal to please the Lord,” Klaassen said. The ceremony closed by singing the Tabor College hymn, “Redeemed of God,” and with a benediction by Laurel Koerner, assistant professor of theater.
Commencement 2018
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Commencement 2018
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TCW Honors First MSN Graduates
Tabor College Wichita held the first ceremony for graduates of its new Masters of Science in Nursing in January. Many of those nurses also took part in Tabor’s commencement ceremony this spring. Thirty-one graduates earned an RN-BSN degree and 14 earned an MSN.
Project SEARCH Graduates Three Interns The Project SEARCH program at Tabor College held its first graduation ceremony on May 10 for the 2017-18 interns. The graduation ceremony marked an achievement of hard work and success for the three interns on the Tabor Campus. These interns were Ryan Hutton, North Newton; Thomas Gill, Hillsboro; and Ally Larson, Marion. Through this program, each intern found clarity in what specific vocation they will pursue and has gained employment. Through three rotations, the interns were mentored and pursued different career paths while developing new skills. “I am excited for graduation because it is an opportunity to celebrate all the hard work and dedication that these three interns put into this year,” said Rob Haude, Tabor College Project SEARCH coordinator. “I am pleased to say that we have 100 percent employment. Each one of our interns have secured employment of at least 16 hours.” Project SEARCH is a partnership between Tabor College and Marion County Special Education Cooperative. The two organizations participate on the advisory committee that meets on campus monthly and includes area experts in special education and job placement.
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Spreading their wings: Three Bluejays take the opportunity to teach abroad in Honduras When 2018 education graduates Kari Schmidt and Callie Gerbrandt report to their first teaching jobs at the end of the summer, they will have much more than new classrooms awaiting them. These two future elementary school teachers will be fully immersed in a new culture as they pack up their bags, leave the country and begin their teaching careers at Academia Los Pinares in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. While both Schmidt and Gerbrandt first heard of the opportunity to teach in Honduras when the school’s superintendent came to visit Tabor College during the young women’s sophomore year, the two education majors took different journeys to eventually say yes to the adventure. For Schmidt, teaching abroad was always a goal. “From the start of my time in the education program, I always had a dream that I wanted to work in a school overseas,” she said. “But I wasn’t sure when, where or if I would ever go through with it.” After researching different ministries and international schools, Schmidt decided to apply at Academia Los Pinares. “I decided that ALP was one that I felt God had laid before Photo courtesy Katelin Horstick me, so I figured I would apply and see what God had in store from there,” she said. “I am blessed to be able Gerbrandt’s decision to apply at ALP came after a process of discernto come back to the States for ing what to do after graduation and a conversation with Schmidt. Christmas and summer, but “I was talking with Kari one weekend in February and she told me in those in-between months, that she had accepted a job with ALP,” Gerbrandt said. “She offhandedly there are so many happensuggested that I should apply, too, but I brushed it off. But the more that I ings back home that I miss thought and prayed and talked with other people about it, the more I began out on,” she said. “It is easy to realize that right now is really the perfect time to take this step in faith.” Both Schmidt and Gerbrandt said they are equally excited and nervous to have the thought, ‘I wish I was home,’ but I focus on for their time in Honduras. knowing I am where God “Even though I really have no idea what I’m getting into, I have this wants me, and that helps me overwhelming sense of peace about it,” Gerbrandt said. “Every day is Photo courtesy Katelin Horstick focus on what I am doing going to be an opportunity to learn something new, either about the culhere.” ture or the language or the things that I’m teaching.” In addition, Horstick said the school living community at ALP has The two women won’t be the only Bluejays in Honduras, as they will been a blessing she would have missed out on if she had passed up on the join 2016 Tabor graduate Katelin Horstick, who has been teaching third opportunity to teach in Honduras. grade at Academia Los Pinares for the past two years. “The school provides housing for all North American teachers, so we Horstick’s journey to Honduras also began when ALP’s superintendent all live close together,” she said. “I have met so many strong believers— spoke to her class during her time at Tabor. women who are older than me who provide guidance and words of wis“After hearing about the opportunity, I spent a lot of time in prayer dom and women who are my age who have become some of my greatest and in conversation with others about the decision,” she said. “After lots friends. It is such a good place to live, surrounded by believers and people of prayer, I knew God was calling me to accept the position and go teach who share the same way of life.” in Honduras.” Horstick said she is excited to have Schmidt and Gerbrandt join her Horstick said being a first-year teacher in a new culture was both next year, and she would encourage them to “allow God to work in and exciting and challenging. through them as they make the transition from small town Kansas to “Being a first-year teacher is a challenge all in itself,” she said. “It Honduras.” takes time to establish who you are in the classroom and how you want to “My advice to anyone thinking about teaching abroad is to go in to it do things. Working with people from a different culture can be difficult to with an open mind and lots of flexibility,” Horstick said. “It can be scary understand, and living in a new culture takes time to adjust.” to step out of your comfort zone and move to a new part of the world, but In addition, Horstick said that being away from home is one of the it is so worth it.” harder parts of teaching abroad. 12
Tabor grad uses capstone project to open parkour gym in Wichita What started as a capstone project for Tabor College Wichita graduate Matthew Moore has led to the startup of a new parkour gym in Wichita. Moore, the visionary behind Kinetic Impulse Parkour, Wichita’s only parkour-exclusive training facility, graduated from Tabor in 2015 with a master’s in business administration. “The main reason I went for my business degree is that no matter where you go, you can always use a business degree, and it is a very versatile degree to have,” he said. Moore said he enjoyed his classes and presentations during his time at Tabor, but his favorite class was the capstone. For the capstone project, students choose what they would like to do, and Moore chose to create a business plan for a parkour gym. He then took that plan beyond the classroom.
“The main reason I went for my business degree is that no matter where you go, you can always use a business degree, and it is a very versatile degree to have,” Moore said.
“It was only natural to see how I could utilize that plan and open my own gym,” he said. The nearest parkour gyms to Wichita were located in Denver and Houston, so Moore took his plan and his desire to create a “safe environment to practice parkour” and opened KIP. According to KIP’s website, parkour is “the ability to get from Point A to Point B in the quickest, most efficient way possible.” “The mission of KIP is to develop the art of movement through a safe and dynamic environment and to help motivate people toward a physically fit lifestyle in a fun manner,” Moore said. He said Tabor helped him understand certain aspects of starting a business, such as project and operations management. Moore’s young business has experienced some bumps in the road involving federal regulations and promotion. Overall, though, he said the results have been worthwhile. “Seeing people progress and get better at parkour has been very rewarding,” Moore said. For more information about KIP or to learn more about KIP’s classes, visit www.ksparkour.com.
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MEI Students Practice in Paris Students of Tabor College Wichita’s Ministry Entrepreneurship and Innovation program will visit Paris this summer as part of an international course scheduled at the halfway point in the two-year program. This is only the second time the group will meet face-to-face in the otherwise completely online master’s degree program. Program Director Rick Bartlett will lead the 10-day journey to visit various sites in the city. “As a former missionary myself I know how important it is for entrepreneurs and innovators to get a glimpse of the larger world because when they return home they see their own context differently,” Bartlett said. “The purpose of the trip is to listen and learn from local leaders.” The MEI program gives students an opportunity to combine a passion for ministry with business and leadership principles needed to be successful whether starting a non-profit, working for a church or something different. Jeremiah Jones of Joplin, Mo., received a nudge from professor Leonard Sweet to begin the program. “Honestly, I had no idea what I was getting myself into,” Jones said. “I was in a confusing transition season after finishing my undergraduate degree and the opportunity presented itself to begin a non-profit ministering to creatives, so the MEI program seemed like the best fit.” Jones expects to apply his learning to anything he chooses to do. “The MEI program has already added many tools to my ministry toolbox, aiding me in finding innovative and creative ways to not only approach this startup, but any program or event I initiate,” Jones said. “My family and I are in the process of moving to Sapulpa, Okla., where I recently accepted a position as the Youth and Worship Pastor for Cedar Ridge Christian Church, Sapulpa Campus.” While many of the students are in ministry roles, not all have a background in working in a church setting. Edie Doane, a first-year student from Manhattan, Kan., works for Kansas Farm Bureau in the organization’s training and education department. “I have had a 10-year break in formal education since obtaining my undergraduate degree and was ready to continue learning in a ‘classroom’ setting,” Doane said. “Many of my ideas for my future revolve around ministry and entrepreneurship and I wanted to develop knowledge and confidence in both areas while learning things I could also immediately apply to my current job. This program offered the kind of coursework and flexibility to provide the learning I hoped to accomplish.” Bartlett chose Paris in order to work with Craig Jost, MB worker in France and Tabor alumnus. Jost formerly served on staff at Hillsboro MB Church. Students will be visiting innovative and entrepreneurial ministries across the city of Paris and will engage in local culture. The purpose of the trip is to listen and learn from local leaders. Jones views the opportunity as one that will have a lasting impact. “I anticipate Paris impacting everything moving forward,” Jones said. “More experiences always benefit future endeavors, even if those experiences turn sour. You will always have a story to tell, an avenue to connect with someone.” 14
Doane looks forward to the Paris experience as one that will give the cohort on ground application while bringing them together as a more cohesive group. “Rick has done a tremendous job of introducing our cohort to some really incredible people through our Thursday evening virtual class, called The Guild, and the orientation week in Wichita,” Doane said. “I am really looking forward to the connections we’ll make in Paris and the opportunities to learn from the people there.” Previous MEI international trips have visited Thailand, Turkey and Colombia. In each instance, students have been able to connect with MB workers and to gain insights into creative and entrepreneurial work in the country. Alexandra Marintzer works as the ministry coordinator for World Impact in Wichita, Kan. She previously traveled with the MEI cohort to Turkey and enjoyed her experience. “There is nothing like being able to step incredibly far out of yourself and current life context and learn first-hand from the country you are in,” Marintzer said. “We learned so much in class, but when I was in those locations, the instructions that I had learned for the past year came alive in ways that I never thought possible.” Bartlett agrees that the international experience is important to gain practice in the skills that the group has been learning. “The goal of this course is to bring students outside of their own comfort zones in North American culture and to immerse ourselves in a different country, language, and context,” Bartlett said. Doane sees the opportunity not only as a way to use skills, but also as a time of reflection and listening. “I think Paris is an opportunity for God to speak through the new experiences, places and people I’ll encounter and the silence created as I let go of the noise in my normal daily life,” Doane said. “I don’t know if it will impact my personal life, current job, entrepreneurial project or something else, but I’m open to whatever God has in store for the experience.” Doane and Jones have different reasons for entering the MEI program, but both see the Paris trip as a much-needed part of the program. “These types of opportunities are only what you make of them, so I plan on soaking in as much as I can,” Jones said. I expect to arrive home with a myriad of stories to tell and energized for a new season of ministry.”
SPORTS WRAP UP
Men’s Tennis Women’s Tennis
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Baseball
The Bluejays, led by Coach Mark Standiford, enjoyed another season of success. The team finished second to No. 5 ranked OKWU in the KCAC portion of their schedule. The Bluejays finished the season 34-19, 24-8 in the KCAC. Abdiel Alicea led a group of six Jays on the KCAC post-season honor list as he was a unanimous first team selection. Jaxson Hooge and Tommy Sleva were also named to the first team. Cameron Pope and Nathan Arruda were tabbed as Honorable Mention selections, while Freddy Walker was named to the Gold Glove team.
Women’s Basketball
Tabor College women’s basketball team concluded another successful season with a run into the National Tournament, where they lost in the first round to No. 4 seed, Saint Xavier University. The Jays ended with an 18-14 overall mark, 12-10 in the KCAC. Five Bluejays were named NAIA D-II Scholar-Athletes. Four were selected to the All-KCAC teams, and Morgan Ediger was named the Player of the Decade by the Garden City Telegram.
The women’s tennis team had a successful run this spring as they claimed their first ever KCAC regular season title with an 8-1 record. Jessica Emoto was named the conference MVP for the third straight season. Heidi Klaassen, Mandi Hiett and Naima Mexsen joined her on the AllConference team.
The men finished just out of the post-season with a 3-6 record in the KCAC. Angel Miguel was named Honorable Mention All-KCAC. With only two student-athletes scheduled to graduate, Coach Ruder looks to a bright future for the guys as they gain experience. The early signings of future Bluejays add to the excitement, as these young men come in with competitive backgrounds.
Men’s Basketball
Tabor College Men’s Basketball struggled, relatively speaking, this year. With a four-year run of Championships and National Tournament appearances, expectations run high, so a 13-9 record in the KCAC and first-round exit in the conference tournament are not the norm. However, there were some highlights. DeShun Patterson represented Tabor College on ESPN’s Dunk Contest; Julian Winton, Patterson and Alan Urrutia were selected to the AllKCAC teams; and, Jordan Horstick was named as a NAIA D-II ScholarAthlete.
Swimming
The swim teams also reached new heights for the program as they competed at the NAIA National Championship swim meet in Columbus, Ga. Though they didn’t collect individual medals, the team did come away with some hardware – both the men and women received the NAIA National Champions of Character team awards.
Softball
Track & Field – Men
The Bluejays shone well this track season, garnering multiple Athlete of the Week honors in the KCAC, and holding down 18 top-10 marks on the KCAC Performance list, including top spots by Shevon Blair in the 400H and Austin Cheatham in the shot put. The men finished the season by placing sixth in the KCAC Championships
Track & Field – Women
The women placed seventh in the recently completed KCAC Championships. Along the way, many of the women also recorded personal bests, and some set KCAC standards. They would hold 12 top-10 spots in the KCAC, including Emily Kemling (10,000 m) and Marah Franz (pole vault) holding down the top spots.
An historic season for the Bluejay softball team – their first-ever regular season conference championship; their first ever post-season conference championship; coach Suzanne Unruh named Coach of the Year in the KCAC; and Madison Byrd was a unanimous first team All-KCAC selection, along with being named the Pitcher of the Year. Additionally, Kerrigan Travens was a unanimous first team pick, Madison Primrose was a second team selection, and Hannah Jones and Taylor Kathler were named to the Honorable Mention team. The Bluejays season continued at the NAIA National Softball Championships.
Cheerleading
Another Bluejay program that finished an historic season. The Cheer team capped off their year with an 11th place finish at the NAIA National Cheer & Dance Championships. Along the way, the Bluejays hosted the KCAC Championship, and took third. Then, in the Regional competition, Tabor took home their highest finish of the season, taking second. 15
Mary J. Regier From a dormitory and dining hall to a graphic design classroom and a ceramics studio, the Mary J. Regier building, affectionately known as the “MJR,” has been a staple on the Tabor College campus since 1920. However, after many years of serving students, the building has become too costly for the college to maintain and is scheduled for demolition. As the Tabor community prepares for this bittersweet moment, alumni and current students alike have begun reflecting on the history and memories the MJR holds.
The building
On Sept. 14, 1908, Tabor College opened its doors for the first time, welcoming 39 students to continue their education in Hillsboro. At this point, the promised Tabor College building was not complete, and instruction began in the historic Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church. Soon, however, the two-story Tabor College building was finished, only for the unthinkable to happen less than 10 years later as a fire reduced the building to ashes in the early morning hours of April 30, 1918. Continuing to believe in the dream of a school built on a Christian foundation, faculty, staff, students and members of the community rallied together and began raising funds for the construction of a new building. As plans began to form for a new administration and classroom building, Tabor College received a donation of $15,000 from Mary J. Regier, one of the original 39 Tabor students. Regier donated her inheritance with the specific request that a women’s home be built on the Tabor College campus. In March 1919, construction began on a second building—a mini, simpler version of the elaborate H. W. Lohrenz building. According to the Historic Campus Architecture Project, William Mampe of Kansas City was hired to design and construct both buildings, using the contrast of rough-faced red brick with cream-colored terra cotta ornamentation. One year later, in March 1920, both buildings were completed and the Tabor College campus now consisted of a large administration and classroom building in addition to a ladies’ home with twenty rooms for students, laundry facilities, a kitchen and a dining room. In its almost 100 years of existence, the MJR has served many roles. In 1951, it became the music department, and later housed the technology and art departments. Before completion of the new Shari Flaming Center for the Arts, the MJR included offices for faculty in the art, theater and music departments; a computer lab; a graphic design classroom; and a pottery studio.
The woman
The initials MJR stand for much more than the money that made the building possible. The MJR building is a reminder of the legacy and generosity of a single woman who loved her college. According to Peggy Goertzen, director of the Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies, Mary J. Regier was born on Sept. 4, 1884, to Johann J. 16
and Maria (Schellenberg) Regier. Raised in Henderson, Neb., Regier was part of a family devoted to ministry in the Mennonite Brethren church. As one of the first Tabor College students, Regier enrolled in classes such as English, geometry, botany, music and the life of Christ before graduating in 1912. Upon graduation, Regier returned back home to Henderson, from where she donated her $15,000 annuity inheritance to build a ladies’ home on her beloved Tabor campus. Regier returned to Tabor to serve as the matron of the ladies’ home for 20 years. In an article for the Mennonite Brethren Historical Commission, Goertzen writes, “Mary’s vision was to foster the spiritual lives of young women. She cared, and demonstrated that caring with action. She not only gave of her material means, but she gave of her time as the dormitory matron.” Years later, Regier also donated another $15,000 to the college for the purpose of acquiring books for the newly built library. Upon leaving Tabor, Regier served as the matron of a women’s dormitory in Emporia. At the age of 65, she married Jacob J. Hiebert. “She was single for most of her life,” Goertzen said, “but she was a single woman who gave what she had because she wanted to see Tabor— and other women—thrive.” Regier died on Jan. 31, 1970, at the age of 85.
The legacy
While it is financially and logistically necessary to demolish the Mary J. Regier building, it will be a hard goodbye for the Tabor community. “The building represents a heart of generosity and commitment to Tabor,” Goertzen said. However, the legacy of the MJR building and Mary J. Regier herself will live on long after the building no longer stands on the Tabor campus. “Her testimony of what one woman could do—through vision and sacrifice in the name of Christ—goes on,” Goertzen said. The Tabor College alumni office encourages alumni to share memories of their experiences in the building in hope that these memories will form a book that can be given out at Homecoming 2018. To submit a memory, visit tabor.edu/alumni-friends/reflections-mary-j-regier-building/ and complete the form by Sept. 30.
After many good years and many students served, the Mary J. Regier building has become too costly to maintain and is scheduled for demolition. As we prepare for this bittersweet event, we encourage alumni to share memories of their experiences in the building. Our hope is these memories will form a book that can be distributed at Homecoming 2018.
Share your story online at tabor.edu/ homecoming or by emailing alumni@tabor.edu.
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Alumni News Marriages Kendra Flaming (g’15) and Kevin Friedberg, married in Goessel, Kan., on July 15, 2017 Aaron Annis (g’12) and Ashlee Cole (g’15), married in Mapleton, Minn., on Dec. 5, 2015
Annis/Cole
John F. Wiebe (g’56), Hillsboro, Kan., April 23, 2018 Herald Kliewer (fs’60), Dinuba, Calif., April 12, 2018 Norman Epp (g’62), Hillsboro, Kan., April 6, 2018 Wilfred Martens (g’56), Fresno, Calif., March 2, 2018 Gordon Jaeger (g’48), Hillsboro, Kan., Feb. 26, 2018 Betty (Schroeder g’61) Thomas, Hillsboro, Kan., Feb.17, 2018
Flaming/Friedberg
Malinda (Penner g’48), Nikkel, Hillsboro, Kan., Feb. 15, 2018 Waldo Lepp (fs’53), Dalmeny, Saskatchewan, Canada, Feb. 11, 2018 Ryon Gross (fs’81), South Shore, S.D., Feb 9, 2018 Martha (Eitzen fs’50), Penner, Albuquerque, N.M., Jan. 10, 2018
Emma Hiebner
Annie Lightner
Noah Marins
Oliver Pruitt
Phyllis Glasser (g’53), Brentwood, Calif., Dec. 7, 2017 David Karber (fs’53), Everett, Wash., Oct. 14, 2017 Katharina (Ediger g’42) Epp, Buhler, Kan., Sept. 12, 2017 Rebecca (Wiebe-Freed g’82), Hayward, Calif., May 28, 2017
Audrey Schall
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Update your info, send us pictures and tell us about your recent honors/ awards online at tabor.edu/alumnifriends. Click on the Be Connected tab to submit your information! CODES
g – graduate fs – former student cs – current student f – faculty ff – former faculty st – staff fst – former staff tcw – Tabor College Wichita
Devereaux Voth
Izabella Wahl
Births/Adoptions Brian (g’06) and Lindsay (Wiebe fs‘07) Lightner, Newton, Kan., a girl Annie Carolynne, Feb. 16, 2018 Trent (g’07) and Stephanie Voth, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, a boy Devereaux Ryder, Jan. 21, 2018 Kevin(g’04) and Jackie Wahl, Boise, Idaho, a girl, Izabella Mae, Jan. 13, 2018 Rafael (g’14) and Alyssa (King g’12) Marins, Redmond, Wash., a boy, Noah David, Jan. 9, 2018 John and Melanie (Dick g’12) Schall, Wichita, Kan., a girl, Audrey Anne, Dec. 21, 2017 Dallas (g’10) and Megan (Peters g’09) Pruitt, Buhler, Kan., a boy, Oliver James, Sept. 14, 2017 Grant and Carly (Kroeker g’10) Hiebner, Grand Island, Neb., a girl, Emma Grace, Sept. 5, 2017
Deaths Herbert Penner (fs’44), Reedley, Calif., May 14, 2018 Anna “Ann” Grace (Koehn fs’43) Martens, Reedley, Calif., May 8, 2018 Ben F. Hofer, Huron, S.D., May 2, 2018 Harold Klaassen, (g’57), Leonardville, Kan., April 28, 2018
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Alumni News – 1950s Judge Roger L. Wollman (g’57) notified President Trump that he intends to step down as an active judge on the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals and will assume senior status as soon as the U.S. Senate can confirm a successor, but not later than Dec. 31. Wollman is the longest serving judge of the 11 active judges on the circuit.
1970s Kathryn Falkenstern (g’77) has retired after a career in the field of children’s mental health. Lyndon “Lynn” Plett (’75) was named the 2018 recipient of the Kay Yow Heart of a Coach Award by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Named for Kay Yow, the late North Carolina State coaching icon, the award is presented annually by FCA to honor a basketball coach who has exemplified biblical principles over the course of his or her career. Plett just completed his second season as the Women’s Basketball head coach at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs in February.
1980s Phil Warner (g’82) has been evaluated as a “distinguished” teacher in the Cumberland, Wis., elementary school. He teaches kindergarten through fourth grade music with an extra elective music enrichment class. Phil has been teaching in some music capacity for nearly 30 years. He holds a master’s degree with honors in music therapy from Kansas University.
Tabor Selects Dean of Student Life Emir Ruiz Esparza has been hired as Dean of Student Life, Learning and Formation at Tabor College. He comes to Tabor from Berean Academy where he served as head of school. In his position at Berean, Ruiz Esparza assumes the spiritual and visionary leadership of the campus. His role at Tabor will be similar. The dean will oversee resident educators, student activities and organizations including Student Activities Board and Student Senate. He will also give leadership to the offices of student success and career services. “I look forward to working with the current student life staff to expand ways in which we can inculcate the mission, vision and core values throughout student life so it enhances the ‘Tabor Experience’ for our students,” Ruiz Esparza said. “I’m also very excited to preserve the essence of Tabor while stimulating progress in ways that excites students and
encourages them to add value to campus life.” President Glanzer welcomes the addition of Ruiz Esparza to the college leadership. “Anytime we can bring a Tabor grad back to the family we want to do it,” Glanzer said. “Emir comes to us with a distinguished background in student life and it is clear he understands the needs of today’s students. We look forward to his ideas and implementing his strategies.” Ruiz Esparza has a clear understanding of the role of student life and the experience he hopes students at Tabor have. “I have a strong desire to build a collaborative, interdisciplinary campus environment where student life uses the collective resources of the college to help students feel supported,” he said. “Our role is to support students as learners, provide spaces to develop meaning and purpose, create experiences to feel connected to Tabor, nurture a climate where transformative relationships can happen and challenge growth in their God-given potential so they are prepared to meet the challenges they will face personally and professionally.” Ruiz Esparza earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Tabor College; a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Cairn University; a master’s of education in educational administration from Columbia International University and is currently working toward a doctorate in organizational leadership at Grand Canyon University.
Tabor Names Greg Zielke as Arts Director Tabor College has named Greg Zielke as arts director for the Shari Flaming Center for the Arts, a new position created to provide support for programming and to expand co-curricular activities in the arts including student recruitment. As arts director, Zielke will handle the administrative responsibilities associated with the facility as well as coordinate leadership for the performing and visual arts faculty, which will enable them to focus on artistic endeavors. “Greg Zielke is the perfect person for this role,” said President Jules Glanzer. “His experience in choral performance and directing combined with his understanding of the place of the arts in Christian higher education and the church makes him a perfect fit for this role. We are thrilled that Dr. Zielke will be able to join the Arts faculty and staff at Tabor.” In addition to his responsibilities as arts director, Zielke will create, recruit and lead an alternate choral group to expand the musical offerings for students at Tabor. As an undergraduate, Zielke studied voice at Tabor under Jonah Kliewer and returns to his alma mater after teaching and choral directing at Grace University in Omaha, Neb., since
1991. At Grace, he also directed music theater performances and for the past 15 years has served as artistic director and conductor for the Omaha Symphonic Chorus. “I want to be instrumental in making Tabor a place for the students and wider community to experience and enjoy many types of creative arts,” said Zielke, who earned a master’s in voice and choral at Wichita State University and a doctorate at University of Missouri-Kansas City. “Music, theater and the arts can be a powerful means of building the kingdom and reaching the world.”
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HOMECOMING
OCTOBER 19-20, 2018 Plan a visit to Hillsboro to attend this year’s Homecoming activities! Details available at tabor.edu/homecoming
Homecoming Activities: • Kid’s Zone • Music Fest • Dutch Lunch • Football Game vs. Sterling College • Theater/Musical Production: “My Fair Lady”